Residents to Protest City’s Failure to Address Unsafe Traffic
Aug 1, 2002
Over 100 Accidents in Past 5 Years in West Oak Cliff, But Dept. of Traffic and Public Works Refuses to Act
WHAT: Crowd of residents to protest in the street with signs, banners, chants
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Monday Aug. 5
WHERE: Intersection of Cockrell Hill Avenue and Falls Drive
There have been over 100 traffic accidents in the Hispanic neighborhood of West Oak Cliff in Dallas in the past 5 years. Cars routinely drive 50 to 70 mph in a 30 mph zone. A number of children have been hit by cars. There are no flashing lights at schools to slow down traffic. Kids have been hit by two cars in front of one school. Cars parked on streets are often damaged by collisions. A new development near the site of the protest has added to traffic problems. It is very difficult for residents to exit this and another development in the absence of a traffic light.
ACORN is demanding that traffic lights, 4-way stops, flashing lights, speed bumps, and Kids-at-Play signs be installed to improve safety in the neighborhood. Specifically, ACORN is demanding a traffic light at Cockrell Hill and Falls Drive; a 4-way stop at Moler and Denley; speed bumps on Grafton, Las Haciendas, and Falls; flashing lights at all neighborhood schools; and a Kids-at-Play sign at Combs Creek and Grafton.
Residents of West Oak Cliff have submitted petitions on these matters to the Dept. of Traffic and Public Works, but have received no assistance. ACORN has contacted the following department employees, each of whom has refused to meet with neighborhood residents to discuss the problems: Tony Mijon, the engineer for West Oak Cliff; Lloyd Dinman, Mijon’s supervisor; David Dybala, Department Head; and Kenneth Melston, who handles these sorts of problems but only in wealthier North-Dallas neighborhoods.
“How long will the city ignore the dangerous condition of our streets?” asked Joaquin Sanchez, Co-Chair of West Oak Cliff ACORN. “Does someone have to die before we get simple safety precautions?”
Photos of accidents are available from ACORN: Kimberly Olsen 214-823-4580.
ACORN is the nation’s largest community organization of low- and moderate-income families, with over 120,000 member families organized into 600 neighborhood chapters in 45 cities across the country. Since 1970 ACORN has taken action and won victories on issues of concern to our members. Our priorities include: better housing for first time homebuyers and tenants, living wages for low-wage workers, more investment in our communities from banks and governments, and better public schools. We achieve these goals by building community organizations that have the power to win changes — through direct action, negotiation, legislation, and voter participation.
Contact:
Kimberly Olsen 214-823-4580 office
David Swanson 202-547-2500 office, 202-329-7847 cell